AUBURN, Ala. – Coming off a 48-10 win at Arkansas and riding a three-game winning streak, Auburn has all the momentum with just two games left in the regular season.
Next Game:
vs. New Mexico State
Nov. 18, 2023
3 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
It's a stark contrast from where this Auburn team was just three weeks ago amid a four-game slide. But it was how the Tigers handled that losing streak and how they learned from it that set them up to finish the year on a high note.
"No one wants to lose," freshman Keldric Faulk said. "It just depends on how you take the loss. If you take the loss as if it was somebody else's fault instead of yours, it's going to be bad on you. But if you take the loss with a grain of salt and you go out the next week and you prepare even harder than you did that last week, everything should work out for you."
"Momentum is an everyday thing," added head coach Hugh Freeze. "I firmly believe in life you are either winning or learning, and I think that's a choice. You can also choose losing, but you better get to choosing or life has a way of choosing for you.
"That's my message to our team this week. When we are on a four-game losing streak, you're obviously not winning so that should be the learning time. I don't like to wallow in that very long. I wanted to get out, and luckily our kids did, too. But the only way you truly ever lose is when you choose that because every experience that we have you can choose to learn from and make yourself better. That's what I hope we'll do this week."
The challenge for Auburn this week is not only to stay hungry and continue to improve but also to not look ahead. The Iron Bowl is a week from Saturday. People are already talking about it. For Auburn, all that matters is this week and New Mexico State.
The Aggies are 8-3. Like Auburn, they're on a winning streak of their own, having won six games in a row. They've got Auburn's full attention.
"The biggest challenge is making sure everybody knows that (New Mexico State) is no pushover," said Jalen McLeod, the SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
"We definitely want to continue to approach every game the same," Auburn cornerback Keionte Scott said. "This week is the same approach, same preparation, same everything. Keeping everything the same is going to be big. And we're just super excited to get in front of the fans again in Jordan-Hare."
Auburn and New Mexico State will kick off at 3 p.m. CT from Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised on SEC Network with Dave Neal, Derek Mason and Taylor Davis on the call. You can also listen to Andy Burcham, Jason Campbell, Ronnie Brown and Will Herring who will have the radio call on 94.3 FM, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the Auburn app.
For fans attending the game, the stadium will be split. Those in the upper deck are asked to wear navy, and those in the lower bowl are asked to wear orange.
Three questions with TE Tyler Fromm
Q: What has been the key to the offensive development the last month?
A: The last month, I just feel like we've really cleaned up all the mistakes that we had early in the year. We've simplified everything. Everybody is just playing more confidently and faster. That's been helping the offense out a lot.
Q: How important is it to focus on New Mexico State this week and not look ahead?
A: The fans are always going to look forward, but we can't get to the Iron Bowl until we play New Mexico State. We're going to take this week like we would any other week. We're always going to treat every opponent like they're the best team we're going to play. We're going to do that this week, take care of business Saturday, and then we'll look forward.
Q: You're back in Jordan-Hare for what could be your last two games there. Have you thought about that and what it means to play in that stadium?
A: No doubt. I'm going to take it in and cherish the last two chances, at least, that I have here. It's all I'm guaranteed anyway. It's been a fun ride. I've really enjoyed my time here. It puts it into perspective that this could be the last two. That's always so cool to think about – the time I spent here and the games that we've played in Jordan-Hare.
Inside the Series: New Mexico State
Auburn leads the all-time series with New Mexico State by a 3-0 count. All three games have been played in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn won the first meeting by a 55-14 score in 1993. In 2007, the Tigers were 55-20 winners, and Auburn prevailed in the most recent matchup, played in 2012, by a 42-7 score.
In non-conference play, Auburn's all-time regular season record since 1933 is 263-71-6 (.783). Before the 2022 Penn State game, Auburn had won 17 straight home games against non-conference opponents dating back to 2016.
Auburn's all-time record against teams currently in Conference USA is 38-5-1. That includes games against Jacksonville State (1-0), Liberty (1-0), Louisiana Tech (12-0-1), New Mexico State (3-0), Southern Miss (18-5) and Western Kentucky (3-0).
By the Numbers
354: Auburn's 354 rushing yards at Arkansas last week were the Tigers' most in an SEC game since rushing for 543 yards against the Razorbacks in 2016 and the most in an SEC road game
since totaling 444 yards on the ground at Tennessee in 2013.
30: With three catches against Arkansas, tight end Rivaldo Fairweather is now tied for the team lead with 30 catches for the season. It puts him just three catches away from John Samuel Shenker's single season record for a tight end (33) set in 2021.
89.8: Auburn cornerback D.J. James has been among the nation's best this season. The senior has two interceptions, seven pass break-ups and has allowed just one touchdown through 10 games. He has a coverage grade of 89.8 per PFF.
800: The Tigers are seeking their 800th win in program history. Auburn would be just the 13th FBS team to reach that mark. Auburn is 799-464-47 in 131 years of football.